“AASCU is pleased the commission recognized the host of challenges confronting higher education today and that they put forth bold, forward-looking recommendations to address these challenges. The commission’s calls for increasing financial support for public colleges through a federal-state matching grant, and enhancing and reforming state revenue streams, would make college more affordable and help students be more timely in completing their programs. America’s state colleges and universities have long been recognized as primary venues of access, opportunity and affordability for American families. To discharge their historic role, our institutions need and deserve adequate financial and policy support from the states and the federal government.   

Nearly three years ago, AASCU proposed a federal-state solution to reverse the ominous and unsustainable erosion of state support for higher education. Variants of our original proposal for a federal-state partnership have been introduced in Congress and incorporated by others in their funding proposals. The commission’s report adds to the broad consensus on the urgency of better alignment of federal and state funding practices.

We urge federal and state lawmakers to consider these recommendations as they prepare for next year’s legislative sessions.”